VFW sponsors Michigan snowmobile safety class
Twenty-one successful candidates completed the VFW-sponsored snowmobile safety training program at Onaway on December 29.
Each student participated in a day-long course with the morning session in the classroom and the afternoon on the obstacle course. All snowmobilers showed their expertise by demonstrating safe “start-up” procedures prior to driving on the snowmobile course laid out by volunteers from the VFW. Along with many other items dealing with safety, these procedures had been covered in the class prior to “hitting the trail” outside.
Students came from all over Michigan for the seminar, including as far away as Sault Ste. Marie. Dr. Wayne Francisco, coordinator and instructor for the class, commended all of the students for their attentiveness, and the VFW members who gave of their time to the program.
Volunteers from the VFW Post who helped out with the program were Ed Fesko, commander, Ray Roberson, past commander, Bob Wilton, Tom Wakefield, Frank Defina, Harry Hoy, Herb Summers, Al Parris, Ted Modrzynski, and Mike Butler.
The City of Onaway provided the facilities for the obstacle course; the Onaway School the overhead projector; and the Presque Isle County Road Commission, the traffic signs.
Donna Francisco was recognized for the able secretarial work necessary for the proper functioning of this scope of activity. Officer Richard Stowe of the Department of Natural Resources covered the legal aspects of snowmobiling in the State of Michigan.